Loro (also known internationally as Them) is a 2018 Italian-French biographical drama and political satire directed by Paolo Sorrentino, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind The Great Beauty and Youth. The film offers a provocative, visually extravagant portrait of Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire businessman and former Prime Minister of Italy, during a turbulent period in his political and personal life.
Starring Toni Servillo as Berlusconi, the story explores a world of wealth, ambition, political influence, sexual excess, and corruption. Rather than presenting a conventional biography, Sorrentino creates a fictionalized account of the people surrounding the controversial Italian leader and their attempts to gain access to his extraordinary world.
At the center of the story is Sergio Morra, an ambitious businessman who operates an escort business and dreams of entering the highest circles of Italian power. Convinced that getting close to Berlusconi could transform his life, Sergio begins an elaborate plan to attract the politician’s attention.
Combining dark humor, political commentary, surreal imagery, and spectacular party sequences, Loro examines the relationship between power and desire in a society fascinated by wealth, celebrity, and influence.
Movie Summary
The story begins in southern Italy, where Sergio Morra is building a lucrative business arranging encounters between wealthy men and attractive young women. Ambitious, opportunistic, and fascinated by the world of political power, Sergio believes that his current lifestyle is only the beginning of something much greater.
His ultimate ambition is to meet Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire media magnate and former Italian Prime Minister. To Sergio, Berlusconi represents everything he wants: money, influence, recognition, and access to an exclusive world where ordinary rules no longer seem to apply.
Sergio moves his operations closer to Rome, hoping to establish connections with politicians and influential businessmen. He organizes extravagant parties, surrounds himself with beautiful women, and uses every opportunity to attract the attention of people connected to Berlusconi.
Eventually, Sergio’s ambitions lead him toward Sardinia, where Berlusconi spends time at his luxurious villa. The politician, however, is not as accessible as Sergio imagines. Despite his enormous wealth and reputation, Berlusconi is experiencing a difficult period in his personal and political life.
His marriage to Veronica Lario is deteriorating. Veronica has grown increasingly disappointed with her husband’s behavior and extravagant lifestyle, and their relationship is approaching a breaking point. Berlusconi tries to maintain the appearance of a happy marriage, but his attempts to win back his wife’s affection reveal his insecurity and fear of losing control.
Politically, Berlusconi is also facing uncertainty. Having lost power after the 2006 general election, he is considering how to return to the center of Italian politics. His confidence remains enormous, but the changing political environment forces him to reconsider his position.
Meanwhile, Sergio continues trying to arrange the perfect opportunity to meet his idol. His extravagant gatherings become increasingly elaborate, with young women, politicians, businessmen, and social climbers all hoping to benefit from their proximity to power.
As the two worlds gradually converge, the film reveals a society in which personal ambition and political influence are closely connected. The people surrounding Berlusconi are not necessarily interested in his personality; many simply want a share of the wealth, opportunities, and prestige associated with his name.
Behind the parties and displays of luxury, however, lies a more complicated portrait of Berlusconi himself. He is charming, theatrical, manipulative, and deeply concerned with his public image. Yet moments of loneliness and insecurity reveal a man struggling with the passage of time and the possibility that his influence may eventually disappear.
Through Sergio’s relentless pursuit and Berlusconi’s personal struggles, Loro builds a satirical portrait of an era defined by excess, ambition, and the pursuit of power.
Star Cast
- Toni Servillo as Silvio Berlusconi – The billionaire businessman, media magnate, and former Italian Prime Minister. Charming, theatrical, and obsessed with maintaining his influence, Berlusconi is the central figure around whom the film’s political and social world revolves.
- Riccardo Scamarcio as Sergio Morra – An ambitious businessman who operates an escort service and dreams of entering Berlusconi’s inner circle. His determination to gain access to the powerful politician drives much of the story.
- Elena Sofia Ricci as Veronica Lario – Berlusconi’s second wife, who is increasingly frustrated with his behavior and the deterioration of their marriage. Her emotional journey provides one of the film’s most important dramatic elements.
- Kasia Smutniak as Kira – A mysterious and influential woman connected to Berlusconi’s social circle. Her presence reflects the complicated relationships surrounding the politician.
- Euridice Axen as Tamara – Sergio’s associate, who helps him organize his business and navigate the world of wealthy clients and ambitious social climbers.
- Fabrizio Bentivoglio as Santino Recchia – A politician involved in the complex network of political relationships and ambitions surrounding Berlusconi.
- Roberto De Francesco as Fabrizio Sala – A character connected to the political and business environment portrayed in the film.
- Dario Cantarelli as Fedele – A supporting character within Berlusconi’s circle.
- Anna Bonaiuto as Cupa Caiafa – A political figure whose presence adds another dimension to the film’s portrayal of Italian power structures.
- Giovanni Esposito as Mariano Apicella – A musician associated with Berlusconi’s personal world.
- Ugo Pagliai as Ennio Doris – A wealthy businessman and longtime associate of Berlusconi.
- Ricky Memphis as Riccardo Pasta – A supporting character connected to Sergio’s ambitious world.
- Alice Pagani as Stella – A young woman whose experiences form part of the film’s wider portrayal of the people drawn into Sergio’s social circle.
- Roberto Herlitzka – Appears in a supporting role.
What Makes Loro Worth Watching?
1. Toni Servillo’s Remarkable Transformation
One of the film’s biggest attractions is Toni Servillo’s portrayal of Silvio Berlusconi. Through detailed makeup, physical gestures, speech patterns, and carefully controlled expressions, Servillo creates a memorable interpretation of the controversial politician.
His performance captures Berlusconi’s charisma, vanity, humor, and insecurity without turning the character into a simple caricature.
2. A Provocative Portrait of Political Power
Loro examines the relationship between wealth, politics, media, and personal influence in modern Italy. The film presents a world in which access to powerful individuals can become a valuable commodity and where ambitious people are willing to do almost anything to improve their social position.
Its political satire remains one of its most distinctive features.
3. Paolo Sorrentino’s Spectacular Visual Style
Director Paolo Sorrentino is known for creating visually striking films, and Loro is no exception. Lavish villas, extravagant parties, unusual camera movements, carefully composed images, and surreal sequences give the film a distinctive cinematic identity.
The visual excess reflects the world inhabited by its characters while also questioning the emptiness behind their luxurious lifestyles.
4. An Exploration of Ambition and Greed
Sergio Morra represents a society fascinated by success and proximity to power. He believes that becoming part of Berlusconi’s inner circle will give him everything he desires.
His journey reveals how ambition can gradually become obsession, especially when success is measured through money, status, and access to influential people.
5. The Personal Cost of Fame and Power
While much of the film focuses on parties and political maneuvering, the relationship between Berlusconi and Veronica provides a more intimate perspective.
Their deteriorating marriage reveals the emotional consequences of a lifestyle built around public attention, vanity, and constant temptation. Beneath the extravagant surroundings, the characters struggle with loneliness, disappointment, and the fear of growing older.
6. Dark Humor and Political Satire
The film uses outrageous situations and absurd encounters to expose the contradictions of its characters. Its humor is often provocative, deliberately uncomfortable, and closely connected to the political and cultural environment of Italy during the 2000s.
Rather than offering a straightforward historical account, Sorrentino uses satire to examine the excesses of an entire social and political era.
7. An Award-Recognized Italian Production
Loro received significant attention in Italian cinema, particularly for its performances and artistic achievements. Elena Sofia Ricci won the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Veronica Lario, while the film also received nominations for several other major categories.
Movie Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Loro |
| International Title | Them |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Country | Italy, France |
| Language | Italian |
| Genre | Biography, Drama, Political Satire |
| Director | Paolo Sorrentino |
| Writers | Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello |
| Main Cast | Toni Servillo, Riccardo Scamarcio, Elena Sofia Ricci, Kasia Smutniak |
| Supporting Cast | Euridice Axen, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Anna Bonaiuto, Roberto Herlitzka |
| Cinematography | Luca Bigazzi |
| Editing | Cristiano Travaglioli |
| Music | Lele Marchitelli |
| Production Design | Stefania Cella |
| Costume Design | Carlo Poggioli |
| Production Companies | Indigo Film, Pathé, France 2 Cinéma |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures International Italy, Pathé |
| Original Release | April 24, 2018 (Part 1) |
| Second Part Release | May 10, 2018 |
| International Release | September 13, 2018 |
| Runtime | Approximately 150–158 minutes, depending on version |
| Awards | David di Donatello Award for Best Actress – Elena Sofia Ricci |
Where to Watch Loro
Loro is an Italian-French production that received theatrical distribution in several international markets. The film has also been released through digital rental, purchase, and independent cinema distribution platforms.